The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have a chance to 'shine' as they step up in the absence of senior royals and show 'extraordinary' candour during engagements, experts tell PALACE CONFIDENTIAL

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With some senior members of the royal family out of action, now is the time for ‘more junior members’ like the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh  ‘to shine’, Richard Eden has told Palace Confidential.

Speaking on the Mail+’s weekly talk show, the Daily Mail’s diary editor noted that ‘three out of four of the most senior members of the royal family [are] out of action’ at the moment.

‘So it is a great chance for, you know, the more junior members like Edward and Sophie to shine,’ he continued, ‘and hopefully this programme will feature their work over the next few months. 

‘And I think it has been great the way that they have taken on some of the less fashionable causes.

‘Sophie has been very much involved in women as a victim of war and sexual crime...And obviously, Prince Edwards inherited the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme from his father, which is fantastic. 

The Daily Mail’s diary editor Richard Eden (pictured) discussed how the absence of more senior royals gave more junior royals like the Edinburghs a ‘chance to shine’

‘So it’d be great if the general public gets to hear more about their good work.’ 

Daily Mail royal editor Rebecca English revealed she had written about the royal couple in the paper this week, discussing their activities.

Sophie was at a school in East Village in South London this week, talking about periods.

Rebecca said: ‘There’s a big campaign by an organisation she’s involved with [the organisation is called] Wellbeing of Women].

‘[The campaign is] called Just a Period [and it seeks]to get away from the idea of period shame and embarrassment about seeking help for young girls.

‘And actually, there were some young…male students, also in the meeting, but she was really open, and answered every question that was being asked of her, you know, like, some of her most kind of embarrassing moments or awkward moments.’

Rebecca added: ‘When I was starting this job, that is 100 per cent something you would have never heard [the royals] talking about…I say good on her.

‘I thought it was it was great.’

The Duchess of Edinburgh (pictured) visited a school this week to talk about periods – something new for the royals

Meanwhile, her husband Prince Edward (pictured, right) has been on a trip to South Africa and onto St. Helena this week

Speaking about Prince Edward, Rebecca discussed how the youngest sibling of the king has been on a two day trip to South Africa and onto St. Helena this week.

She discussed a Q&A the royal had given, where he spoke about men, which surprised her.

Rebecca continued: ‘He gave a kind of question and answer session when he was in Pretoria….[and he] quite extraordinarily said, “Look, I feel a bit embarrassed about standing up here as a man, because I don’t think men are doing a very good job with the world at the moment’. 

She noted that he was ‘referring to conflicts that are going on globall’y.

Rebecca said: ‘And again, you know, I thought well, “quite outspoken Edward but a really good talking point”.’